Easter and Hilton Head Part 1

The anticipation was high for our trip to Hilton Head this year.  We hadn't been in three years, but the kids have seen pictures of past trips.  We purchased flights back in the summer and the kids talked up the plane ride, seeing cousins, spending time at the beach, etc. for months.

We got the 6am flight out of Burlington to Atlanta.  That means that we had to wake up at 4am and leave the house by 4:30.  The kids were great little travelers and the kids even got to sit in the cockpit after Hazen introduced himself to the pilot.

And the best part about leaving so early, is that we arrived at Savannah airport by 10:30 am and were on the beach by noon. It was a gloomy day, but the kids were still fired up to get out on the beach in the spitting drizzle.  And Cal was very fired up for me to take a picture of her (and her cousin) in front of a palm tree:

Uncle George had talked up how great this beach is for teaching kids how to ride a two wheeler.  He was right!  Cally was peddling on her own within minutes of trying!

After that monumental accomplishment, Aunt Sherry organized egg decorating:

The mother of the three lovely ladies on the left, my Grandma Isabel, started the tradition of getting cousins together for weeks at a time over years throughout our childhood.  The relationships she nurtured have sustained themselves over time and this year we had 25 relatives together!

Sunday also started out gloomy, but that didn't stop the Easter Bunny from visiting!

The cloudiness didn't stop these cats from playing at the beach and swimming in the ocean:

Swimmers

It's happened.  The kids are taking to the water like little fish!  We owe so much of it to Annie, their amazing swim instructor.

 I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to do this, but for the past year I've been offering Cal a "prize" if she goes underwater.  It's really just because I'm a "Nervous Nelly" when my kids are around water.  I've heard too many horror stories about kids drowning and it just isn't all that relaxing to be near water with kids who don't know how to swim.  Last summer came and went and the lessons made them more comfortable in the water, but going under didn't happen.  That has all changed.

Apparently, she's diving down for rings underwater!

And this is what she choose as her prize!  Can you see the pride in her smile?

And Hazey isn't far behind her.

He's super comfortable in the water.

And he's already ready to put his face in the water.

On a totally different note.  Here are the kids with their favorite baby, Mazzy Merritt. They adore her!

Climbing & Spring Skiing

How better to spend a rainy day than to open up the UVM climbing wall for private climbing with a bunch of friends!

Cally's a natural up there!  She went up 5 or 6 different times, but it turns out  she's not a huge fan of heights.

Hazey was game to give it a try, but he hasn't figured out that the rope is not part of the wall and isn't supposed to be used to help him climb up.

The sun came out on Sunday and we had a great day of skiing at Sugarbush.  The kids rocked it, even though the corn was pretty heavy to plow through. 

It was so great to get to spend a bunch of time with little Thompson.  She is going to have surgery on a hole in her heart on Friday and we are wishing her all the best for a speedy recovery!

The Winter that Wouldn't Quit

Most people in Vermont are DONE with winter.  But these crazy kids can't get enough of it!  Even with a little rain, they are willing to tromp through the snow and explore the woods.

 We went to a birthday party on March 29th (not mine) and there was a snow maze and luge course!

But the weather has warmed up a bit and we now have a tiny maple syrup operation to add to our homesteading responsibilities.  The kids had a ball tapping the trees and checking for sap.  We'll be lucky if we get enough for one pancake breakfast, but it's more about the process, right?

I got to celebrate my birthday skiing with my family and that made me so happy!  I mean really skiing.... we all ride the lifts, I carry my poles, I don't have anyone between my legs and I can make tele turns.  There isn't much more that this mama could ask for in that department.  Having my birthday on a Saturday meant that I got lots of attention from family and friends.  Most importantly, I got to go on a date to my favorite Italian restaurant with my sweetheart while our dear friends Tom and Cara watched the kids.

I can honestly say that it just keeps getting better!

Family

We finally got the snow storm we had been waiting for!  You will never hear this family complain about a real snow storm.  We get especially gleeful when it is so abundant that school has to be closed...... for TWO days!  Sure,the selfish, fresh track loving part of John and me thinks it is a bummer that our daycare provider has decided to close on snow days, but it certainly is bonding to have to spend many days together in the company of snow!

We don't really have pictures from the storm.  We were too busy playing, snow blowing, or skiing.  And I can't even tell you how much fun it is to actually be a skiing family.  Yep, we all skied off the top of both Mad River and Sterling Peak at Smuggs.  The kids have completely amazed us with their spirit, enthusiasm, and sense of fun when it comes to skiing.  There are times when John and I look at each other and cannot believe how far the kids have come in a matter of weeks.



But life isn't ONLY about skiing and being in the mountains.  I was lucky enough to get the kids into swimming lessons with Annie, the famous Chittenden County swim instructor.  She has a gift with kids and we are fortunate that John has the flexibility to be able to bring them to her lessons on Tuesdays.

They still don't love getting their heads underwater, but I'm feeling a breakthrough coming our way soon (or crossing my fingers and hoping that will happen soon).  Nothing scares me more than children around water.

This Tuesday was also about getting the taxes done and a real haircut for Mr. H.

These kids are so much darn fun!  They  keep us on our toes and many deep breaths are necessary in order to make it through most days, but they are these spirits that bring so much brightness to my days.

March (Not So) Madness

riding the t-bar!

It's the same old story....... John goes away every March.  I brace myself for the worst-- not because I'm a pessimist, but because I like to be ready for whatever may come.  One year Cally got pneumonia, another year Hazen got pneumonia, and last year Cally got the stomach flu while John was gone.  But I also brace myself because I know what John being in big mountains with big snow means.  There is a bit of envy, but a bit of fear, too.  I used to be the one tromping around in the big mountains, in the bountiful light snow, taking risks, but now there is a family involved and I worry-- but try my best not to.

This year I planned ahead and got my ducks in a row and it was pretty painless.  Being with the grandparents for several days really, really helped.  The kids were happy and I wasn't pent up at home with them.  And it was a short work week (although I did have parent-teacher conferences until 8:30 one night).  The morning drop offs went well and the kids stayed healthy.  We even managed to get out to Cochran's Ski area for "Friday Night Lights" and dinner.  I wasn't sure I could do it on my own, and it certainly took some major motivation, but it was a total success.  The three of us were able to ride the t-bar (and Cally only fell off once) and Hazen insisted on riding the tow rope on his own!

Hazey soloing the rope tow

I united with a few of my other single moms on Saturday-- sledding with the Harris-Plimpton crew:

tow assist for the way up

The kids were entertained by their "big kid" friends:

And I even got to get out on a short ski tour with Medora!

I even got out for a run on Sunday morning, thanks to Uncle Scotty coming over to play with the kids for an hour.  I'm  fortunate to have people who can help me break up the drudge of being on my own.  And I'm learning, slowly, how important it is to reach out and ask for help.

But, the fun couldn't last...... lice returned, so I spent most of the afternoon on Sunday on Operation Lice Phase II.  This time I had a better idea of how to handle it.  And Cally was a trooper!

And Dad came home in one piece!  That, ultimately, makes everything better.  I'm not sure who was happier to see the other-- the kids or their dad?

These weeks on my own are fine.  There is a little added stress and I definitely appreciate all that John does for this family when he isn't here.  But I also realize how much I am capable of and all that I can do on my own.